Danvers Marching Band fired up for another show

Saturday

Aug 23, 2014 at 11:30 AM

By Myrna Fearerdanvers@wickedlocal.comThe Danvers High School Falcon Marching Band has always been on fire with its creativity, energy and its excellence so what could be a more appropriate theme for this yearís band show than "On Fire?""All the songs are related to fire," said Ron Parsons, consummate band director who has led his band through three prestigious appearances at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, a record number for any band. "Itís a busy show and thereís a lot of movement."The show begins with "Light Em Up" by Fall Out Boy, but this yearís talented team had many songs to choose from, quite a variety according to information found on the Internet. There is a reason for the musical interest in the topic: "Of all the elements, fire is the one that shows up in songs the most. Itís used both literally and, more commonly, as a symbol of love or something decidedly more physical."So coming up with "Girl on Fire" (Alicia Keys), "We Didnít Start the Fire," (Billy Joel), "Smoke on the Water," (Deep Purple), "Set Fire to the Rain," (Adele) and "Fire," (Jimi Hendrix) wasnít too difficult."Peter Furnari is very talented and he had the idea," Parsons said. "We thought it would be fun to do the theme around fire."Furnari, who was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame in 2009, is a noted percussion instructor and arranger. His expertise is well known in Europe as well as the United States and he has taught and judged abroad for more than 15 years. He has been a nationally known judge since 1983.According to Furnari, this is his sixth year with the DHS band and somewhat of a milestone."I have a wonderful experience as a band instructor here," said Furnari whose daughter Nicole, a former band alumna, is assisting with the color guard and his other daughter Miranda plays the trumpet in the band. "I grew up with the kids and their friends."One volunteer mom, Lauren Poussard, is already involved with the band especially since her daughter Zoe Barham is a freshman. Poussard, well-known Danvers photographer, is also a major supporter and alumna of the Arbella Drum and Bugle Corps. A drill instructor, Poussard has been helping teach trumpet. And sheís been busy photographing much of whatís going on in the field.After moving around like gypsies, itís nice for the band to be on home turf. Theyíve held band camp outside Essex Aggie for several years and last year, because of construction, the kids occupied a grassy area close to the street. Now they have a large practice field behind the bleachers, where they can spread out. And the best part for the creative team was being able to climb up to the top row of the bleachers and watch the show as it was being rehearsed. This way, anyone out of step, or ending up just enough to throw off the line even a fraction, was immediately spotted. It makes sense to be able to spot even the slightest imperfection because this is the way the half-time audience will be able to view the show. And perfection in music and marching is always the goal.The talented trio communicated and critiqued together. In addition to Parsons and Furnari, it includes Steve Dorgan, who writes the show. This is Dorganís second year and the men were happy to welcome him back.Dorgan taught instrumental music and band in the Stoughton Public Schools for more than 28 years. He used his arranging skills to help build the Stoughton High School Marching Black Knights into one of the finest bands in NESBA. He also arranged music for his elementary and middle school bands and taught one of the award winning middle school jazz bands. Dorgan was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum & Bugle Corps and Music Educators Hall of Fame in 2011.Joel Dube, a well-known color guard designer and instructor, is bringing his expertise to the DHS Marching Band for the first time. An Arbella alumnus, he has been leading the new Arbella Color Guard since its beginnings in 2013. According to his biography, "Joel has been a color guard designer and instructor (since 1983). His experience as either a performer or designer/instructor is truly awesome. Every guard under Joelís leadership ascends the leader board. His passion, design flair and exacting standards bring out the best."Dube was working with the 22 members of this yearís color guard on another part of the field. The group of young women and one young man watched intently as Dube executed a tricky maneuver. Then he moved co-captain Derrick Bean to the front to repeat the drill for the others. It was an intense workout under the bright sunshine, but the group was focused on the drill and remained oblivious to the temperature.Friday was the last morning of band camp and the best chance to get the maneuvers right. But, there was also a different feel to the day. Each division was dressed in its own color and tie-died T-shirts seemed to be the uniform of the day. That afternoon was going to be time to relax, enjoy a field day and end with pizza and slush.But it wasnít over yet and Colin Butler, a drum major for the Class of 2014, was working at his first band camp before getting ready for his freshman class at Bentley College. He knew first hand what their senior year was going to be like for the Class of 2015 drum majors Patrick Berry, Jennifer Lueke and Maria Tenaglia.After an appearance in Hawaii in honor of the 70th Commemoration of Pearl Harbor, another one in Disney World over Christmas, and a second opportunity to march up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrickís Day, the band will stay put in 2015."Itís not a travel year, we need a bit of a break," Parsons said. "Weíre looking forward to another great year."